Best Motorcycle Gloves Australia 2026 - Bikebiz

Crashes and falls are the risks that riders take when they throw their leg over two wheels. And if either comes to pass, your hands are usually the first point of impact.

Despite that fact, riders tend to prioritise helmets and jackets over a quality set of gloves. But you're reading this article, so you may well be the exception.

Your hands aren't just an impact buffer – they're also your primary connection to the bike. The right gloves need to pair protection with good throttle, clutch and brake feel. They also need to feel comfortable in Australia's weather extremes: steamy summer days, chilly winter mornings, a ride through a sudden storm.

At Bikebiz, Sydney's #1 motorcycle dealer, we've spent the last quarter century testing thousands of accessories to separate the gimmicks from the gamechangers. In this guide we break down the best motorcycle gloves Australian riders have access to, to help you find the perfect pair to cover your mitts.

Anatomy of a good glove: what to look for

Whether you're grabbing a handful of brake or waving to a mate, you can't ride without your hands (at least for long). Here's what to look for in terms of high-end paw protection.

Rating

CE-rated motorcycle gloves, which meet typically high European standards for things like abrasion resistance, tear strength and seam durability, are a must.

There are two distinct CE ratings:

• Level 1: A baseline level of abrasion resistance and seam strength, good for low-speed rides around town.
• Level 2: Higher abrasion resistance and seam strength, ideal for total protection on the highway or track.

Materials

The best gloves continue to be made from leather, typically with breathable synthetic materials like Gore-Tex and Hipora used as liners.

The type of leather matters, and it's usually a choice in three: kangaroo leather vs cowhide vs goat-skin. While the quality of these leathers can vary significantly from glove to glove, the following table gives you a general idea of how they compare.

Property	Kangaroo	Cowhide	Goat-skin
Strength	Highest	High	Moderate
Weight	Lightest	Heaviest	Light
Feel/flex	High	Moderate	Highest
Price	High	Moderate	Moderate

In short:

• Kangaroo pairs strength with excellent feel, but you pay for the pleasure.
• Cowhide is strong but also quite thick, which can affect feel.
• Goat-skin offers great feel but can lack the strength of the other two.

Extra protection

Certain parts of your hand need more armour than others. Ensuring these zones are reinforced can be the difference between telling your story from the pub or the hospital.

• Knuckle armour protection: Knuckle armour made from carbon fibre or TPU is a non-negotiable.
• Scaphoid palm sliders: Sometimes referred to as scaphoid protection, the hard pads on the heel of the palm are there to ensure your hand slides on the tarmac rather than gripping it and snapping a wrist.
• Finger bridges: A feature seen on high-end racing gloves, these join your ring and pinky fingers together to prevent them from getting caught or rolled over in a crash.

Style showdown: short cuff vs. long cuff

Choosing between a short cuff and a full gauntlet is about striking a balance between comfort, convenience and protection.

Short cuff

Road short cuff motorcycle gloves are your daily riders. They're quick and easy to get on and off, and they offer much-needed airflow in summer.

The trade-off: less protection against both injury and inclement weather. If your jacket sleeve slides up while riding, you risk water running down into the glove. If you fall, you risk grinding skin on bitumen.

We recommend:

• The best-in-class short cuff motorcycle glove: Dainese Steel-Pro In Gloves
• The best value short cuff motorcycle glove: Alpinestars SMX 2 Air Carbon V2 Gloves

Long cuff (aka gauntlet)

Road long cuff gauntlet gloves keep the rain out and the skin on. They're the gold standard for protection, and are a must for the track or highway. They overlap your jacket sleeves to totally seal your wrists off from the weather and, in the event of a crash, the road.

The trade-off: They take a little longer to get on and off, and you can run a bit hotter in summer. They do provide more warmth on chilly winter mornings though (speaking of: you can check out our best heated motorcycle gloves here).

We recommend:

• The best-in-class long cuff motorcycle glove: Dainese Full Metal 6 Gloves
• The best value long cuff motorcycle glove: Dririder Assen 2 Gloves

So, long cuffs are ideal for the track and touring, short cuffs should be used as summer riding gloves for daily urban use.

As to which to choose, at Bikebiz we say 'why not both?' It's handy – pun intended – to cover all bases: long cuff for bad weather and highway speeds, short cuff for good weather and city commutes.

Brand spotlight: what makes each unique?

No one glove brand is objectively better than the rest. At Bikebiz we instead make recommendations based on the design philosophy behind the gear. Each manufacturer brings different priorities and skills to the table. The secret to finding your perfect pair of mittens is to pair those brand strengths with your riding style.

Five: The Specialist.

While most bike glove brands hedge their bets across other accessories like boots, helmets and jackets, Five lives and breathes hand protection. Their exclusive focus on motorcycle mittens, and their deep investments in research and development, equal ergonomics that are second to none. In our humble opinion, a pair of Fives feel less like gloves than they do a second skin.

• Staff pick: Five RFX-1 Evo Gloves is a masterclass in racing protection that features ventilated TPU knuckle shields and carbon palm sliders that don't compromise feel.

Alpinestars: The Racer.

Designed for life on the limiter, Alpinestars are famous for producing the world's best motorcycle racing gloves. As the go-to glove in Moto GP, the brand has packed their designs with race-ready technology that's proven to keep you safe in a tumble at near-psychotic track speeds. Alpinestars racing gloves pair a range of patented safety features with aggressive styling that makes your hands look like they're going fast even when they're standing still.

• Staff pick: If you want to race, do it properly in a pair of Alpinestars GP Pro R4 Gloves, complete with the brand's signature finger bridge and a Dynamic Friction Shield cuff.

Dainese: The Stylist.

Italian design meets cutting-edge safety in Dainese leather gloves. Known for using the highest quality leathers available, the brand makes gloves that are super strong while feeling supple from day one. The fashionista's choice, Dainese gloves bring luxury aesthetics to the road, but don't skimp on protection.

• Staff pick: If you're looking for looks, Dainese Blackjack 2 Gloves offer a clean and classic aesthetic and are perfect for summer commutes.

Dririder: The Local.

Dririder is an Australian institution. Established in 1980, the brand understands that a summer ride through a sweaty storm in Western Sydney is a world away from a cruise through the Blue Mountains on a brisk July morning. Their great value gear is engineered specifically for our harsh climate, combining ventilation and waterproofing so you're ready for any weather.

• Staff pick: One of the best rated motorcycle gloves in the Bikebiz store, the Dririder Air-Ride 2 Short Cuff Gloves are the perfect everyday pick, particularly if you're prone to clammy riding hands.

Women's gloves: fit matters

There's a misconception about road women's gloves – that manufacturers take a men's glove, then shrink it and pink it. While colour palettes certainly lean more feminine, there are genuine fit differences between men's and women's road gloves.

A well-designed women's glove will feature a narrower palm and longer fingers relative to width. Choosing a downsized men's glove will see most women swimming in extra material at the sides and fighting bunched fabric at the knuckles, which can be diabolical for dexterity.

Good news: girls no longer have to forgo the best tech for the right fit. Over the last few decades brands like Alpinestars and Dainese have significantly expanded their women's ranges, and have migrated their most innovative features – including carbon knuckle sliders and scaphoid protection – into dedicated female cuts.

We recommend:

• The best-in-class women's road glove: Five Women's RFX1 Gloves
• The best value short cuff road glove: Dririder Women's Vivid 2 Gloves

Motorcycle glove FAQs

Leather vs textile gloves: which is better?

Leather gloves never smell, and offer greater abrasion resistance, durability and a premium feel, particularly if you choose kangaroo skin. They're the go-to choice for seasoned riders, especially for the track and high-speed road riding. Textile gloves can win on functionality, as fabrics like Gore-Tex and Hipora are both waterproof and breathable and can usually be washed.

Should motorcycle gloves be tight?

Your gloves should be snug, but not uncomfortably so – they shouldn't feel like they're cutting off circulation. When shopping for new gloves, aim for a 'second skin' feel once they're fully fastened. Leather will stretch and mould to your hands over time, while textile and mesh gloves tend to maintain their original size and shape, so a firmer fit for a leather glove isn't a bad thing.

Can I use my phone with gloves on?

Most modern motorcycle gloves feature conductive material on at least the index finger so you can use your phone and GPS without taking them off. At Bikebiz well over half of our 300+ different pairs of road gloves are now touchscreen-compatible.

How do I wash my motorcycle gloves?

Never toss leather gloves in the washing machine; instead, wipe them down with a damp cloth to get most of the grub off, then bring them back to life with leather cleaner and conditioner. For textile and synthetic gloves, follow the manufacturer's instructions. A gentle hand-wash in warm soapy water is usually the go, and you should always air-dry them away from direct heat so they don't shrink.

Are expensive gloves worth it?

Higher-end gloves are 100% worth the investment. You get maximum protection from the latest and greatest safety tech. They feel more comfortable and dextrous thanks to materials like premium kangaroo leather. And thanks to superior materials and construction techniques, higher-end gloves tend to last longer – you're also more likely to take good care of them versus a budget option that feels more disposable.

Find the pair that fits like a glove

Short cuff vs long cuff, Italian vs Aussie, leather vs synthetic, high-performance vs everyday; the very best motorcycle gloves in 2026 will be the pair that is suited to your specific needs, wants, situation and preferences.

At Bikebiz we recommend finding a pair that offers a second-skin level of fit and feel, and that comes with whatever level of protection and performance your riding style demands. This often means buying two or more different pairs, for winter or summer/low speed or high speed riding.

Ready to protect your dukes? At Bikebiz we stock the widest range of gloves and accessories in Oz. Our staff are also riders who have tested our gloves in real-world conditions, so we know exactly what works and where.

Shop the Bikebiz range today.